Any cities in Kentucky that are similar to Chicago? (Lexington: lofts, crime)

[ITChick]

rppipa01, I appreciate your going into detail on life and things to do in Louisville. I did look at the comments on Sperlings website and most were positive sounding. I don't have a family, so I would be looking from a point of view as a single person. I guess at this point I need to visit both Lexington and Louisville and see how it could work for me personally.

I do like that the winters are milder in KY and that housing is more affordable. Also knowing that there are friendly people and beautiful scenery makes visiting there a trip I am looking forward to.

[rppipa01]

Let us know how your visits turn out. I think you'll find both cities offer a lot if you are looking for the right sort of things.

[highliner]

Moving from Windy to Ky? You'll feel much more at home in either Louisville (pronounced lou-uh-vul) or in the northern Ky suburbs. The latter choice definitely has more of an upper midwest urban feel, but Louisville is a great city,too. Lexington, on the other hand, is a podunk/backwards town, in spite of it's size. I live there, and won't for long- I never should have come back here after having experienced life in a real city. Best of luck to you!

[patsycat]

You might also consider Northern Kentucky, which is part of Greater Cincinnati.

[CDOJr1961]

Louisville's crime rate may make you feel as though you are in Chicago.

Check out this recent story in USATODAY:

http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/...me-surge_x.htm

[kimmieyky]

Originally Posted by rppipa01

Quick Facts about Louisville:

Louisville (pronounced lu evel) is Kentucky's largest city.

I guess my accent must be off - it always comes out "lu vul" , with the the 'lu' as the beginning sound in 'lullabye'! It's like a two syllable word, that people from other states always ask you to spell when you are on the phone...they ask you where you are from and.... you say lu vul... you spell it and... they say - oh - 'Louis' 'ville'...yep, that's what I said... 'lu vul' !

I have heard people who have lived here a while, but were not born here call it 'louey ville'. Listen long enough, and you can tell whose been around a while!

I wonder if we are on the list of the most mis-pronounced cities in America?I wonder if there is a list?

Anyway...
Oh - a soda around here is a 'coke' - regardless of what you are drinking, ITchick, so be prepared to be specific!

Good luck on your move! Very happy for you. The market must be picking up!

KimmieyKY

[hjwbpstar]

I'm from Ky born and raised, but went to school in Chicago. I really enjoyed my time there, but moved back home because of just loving it here. I was in the downer groves/naperville area. I think Lexington seems like these areas except much nicer. Lexington is a very clean city although small I think it's a great place to live (I also went to school there). Louisville has a larger city feel and would be closer like Chicago. Lexington is closer to the center of the state and you are not far from Cincinnati, and Louisville and maybe if you would like to visit the country side you are not far from it. Hopes this is helpful to you. If you have another specific questions ask. Everyone is entitled to my opinion (just kidding). Please as some other opinions. Sorry so poorly written I'm just walking out the door. By the way the weather is much much milder, did I say the weather is better, yes the winter is much much milder, and good news when we have bad weather everything either stops or at least slows down. (Part of my culture shock while living in Chicago)

[LouisvilleJake]

Originally Posted by CDOJr1961

Louisville's crime rate may make you feel as though you are in Chicago.

First off - Moderator cut: personal - off topic

Secondly, that story said almost nothing about Louisville - however it did mentioned the declining murder rate for the past couple of years (however, in typical USA TODAY fashion, it brushes that little fact aside so they can make a story "sizzle") and how the city is trying to be proactive to combat what is seen AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY as a coming surge in crime, for a whole host of reasons.

People should move to Memphis or Nashville or St Louis...then let me know how crime ridden Louisville is.

[kimmieyky]

Originally Posted by LouisvilleJake

Secondly, that story said almost nothing about Louisville - however it did mentioned the declining murder rate for the past couple of years (however, in typical USA TODAY fashion, it brushes that little fact aside so they can make a story "sizzle") and how the city is trying to be proactive to combat what is seen AROUND THE WHOLE COUNTRY as a coming surge in crime, for a whole host of reasons.

People should move to Memphis or Nashville or St Louis...then let me know how crime ridden Louisville is.

Jake, I really have to agree with you. I cannot fathom where these stories start and how they are SO blown up.

Living around here all my life - I have to say - I would walk downtown, even in the 'worst' neighborhood before I would think about walking downtown in other cities. And I am talking about those I have visited and have seen actual documentation on crime stats - not blown out of proportion stories to increase sales.

I truly believe this is a wonderful example of how the media is able to sway opinions and make their own stats - almost always amplifying the negative while ignoring the positive. This is one reason I do not watch the evening local news. How many positive stories do you see? If a person from out of town were to come and watch our news - they would be terrified, as the emphasis is always on the crime. To hear them tell it - we should be walking in body armor and not venturing out after dark...

Anyway - what bothers me the most is the fact that once it's 'out there' it is almost impossible to pull it back. Like saying the word 'divorce' in a marriage. Once said - it hangs as a black cloud, making it a possibility rather than something that is not an option. The worst arguments with flying tempers can tear anything to shreds and once the words are out - they can't be taken back.

To all of you considering a move to Louisville - do not rely on anything except FACTS. The FACTS come from the Louisville info sites where you can see actual crime stats - not inflamed articles. If crime has truly become a concern - contact the Chamber of Commerce - I know they will be MORE THAN HAPPY to direct you to the truth. It is all public record, often published in the Courier Journal (another negatively slanted medium, but with stats available, too) and not that hard to find if you look.

I cannot think of another city the size of Louisville - 16th largest, right? - with as low of a crime rate. I may be wrong - but I am pretty sure it pans out that way.

Stick to the facts, visit, check with local government, and make an educated decision - not one based on something meant to increase the bottom line.

Just my 2 cents....

KimmieyKY

[stx12499]

Well, first off, let me begin that there is just NO COMPARISON between Chicago and Louisville. Its apples and oranges. Chicago is bigger and more cultured in every regard. However, if you HAD to pick a city in KY that was most like Chicago, it would be Louisville without question, as it is three times larger than Lexington, the next largest city in KY, with (arguably) ten times more stuff to do.

Also, comparing Louisville crime to Chicago crime is ludacris. Louisville is more of a medium to medium large city. Chicago is a mega city, with more crime, more drugs, more morbidly dangerous criminals, etc. It may be better to compare crime RATE, in which case Louisville fares favorably, about average for its size class. I would not trust anything in the mass media, which has a terrible habit of spinning information the way they want to make a sensationalist tabloid like story. I would go straight to FBI crime statistics.